I nodded.
“And you love me?”
I nodded again.
He reached up to kiss me.
“I guess it was worth that drama then, to hear you say that.” He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
“The day I’ve had… you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
I looked up and away from Will for the first time since coming into his office. My eyes took in the sparse furniture, the typical office carpet, and the window.
Then I saw the wall.
I got up and looked around.
The entire wall behind Will’s desk had been papered over with a gigantic photograph of snowy mountain peaks.
“What is this?” I asked him, breathlessly.
Will looked up and turned around.
“Do you mean the wallpaper?”
“Yes.” I felt short of breath, my heart was beating fast. I had never seen a mural of mountains this big, so close-up. The towering peaks with snow-capped tips, jutting sharply into the sky was incredibly powerful, it made me want to take a few steps back. It was like being in the presence of something much bigger than myself and much stronger.
“Nikki?”
I had to step outside his office, leaning against the outer wall, calming myself.
Will appeared in the door and stared at me.
“What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath.
“What’s up with the mural?”
He looked over his shoulder.
“The photograph of Everest? Is that what you are talking about?”
I nodded slowly and walked back in, taking in the whole view from the door.
It was unbelievable.
Will came to stand next to me, hands on his hips, looking at the wall.
“I’m so used to it, I guess I hardly see it anymore,” he mused. “I had it put up when we moved into these offices after founding the company.”
“But… why… that particular image?” I had to ask.
“I don’t know. It spoke to me,” he crossed his arms. “You know, over 300 people have died trying to reach the top of Mount Everest. Most of their bodies were never found, they’re still on the mountain. But it won’t stop people from trying to reach the top, again and again. And failing. Again and again.”
I turned to look at him.
“I guess to me, it is inspiration but at the same time, a warning. Motivating me to reach great heights, but not be blinded by my own weaknesses, to know what I am capable of and what I can’t do.”